Post-Bloomberg New York: Opportunities and Challenges

Wesleyan Alumni in Philanthropy & Public Service (WAPPS) invites you to join us for
Post-Bloomberg New York: Opportunities and ChallengesA Leadership Panel & Networking Event exploring the possibilities for policy & action under new leadership in New York City.

When:
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
6:30- 8:30 p.m.

Where:
The Wagner School at New York University, Rudin Family Forum for Civic Dialogue
295 Lafayette Street, New York, NY

Description:
Join Wesleyan Alumni in Philanthropy & Public Service (WAPPS) October 29 in New York City to discuss how we - as practitioners and engaged citizens - can position ourselves to continue good policies from Bloomberg administration while also innovating for progress. At this critical time of dynamic change in New York City’s government, this panel of city leaders will bring together Wesleyan alum across issue areas and sectors to consider how best to use leadership change in New York City as an opportunity for all.

Tickets:
Space is limited. When you register, you will be asked to make a $10
donation to the Patricelli Center to hold your seat. (please register
above)

Sharon Greenberger is the Senior Vice President for Facilities Development and Engineering at New York-Presbyterian and brings over 20 years of urban planning and development, design, construction and operations management experience to her current position. Her responsibilities include overseeing the Hospital’s Offices of Corporate Engineering, Facilities Operations, Facilities Design and Construction and Capital Asset Planning and Development. She is also responsible for moving forward the next phase of the Hospital’s Long Term Capital Plan and infrastructure programs

Before joining NYP, Ms. Greenberger was Chief Operating Officer for the New York City Department of Education (DOE), where she was responsible for coordinating all operations and programs that serve the City’s 1.1 million public school children, including 1,700 schools, 120,000 employees and a $22 billion annual operating budget.

Previously, Sharon was the President and CEO of the New York City School Construction Authority (SCA), the agency that is responsible for the planning, design and construction of all capital projects in the City’s more than 1,200 public school buildings. Under her supervision, the SCA completed work on its FY 2005-2009, $13.1 billion capital plan, the most aggressive and comprehensive school capital plan in the City’s history, and began work on its FY2010-2014, $11.3 billion plan.

Prior to that, Ms. Greenberger was Vice President for Campus Planning and Real Estate at New York University (NYU), where she managed NYU’s campus planning, space management, architectural design and standards, as well as real estate interests and assets.

Before joining NYU, Sharon was Chief of Staff to the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding. In this role, she managed New York City’s economic development and planning agencies and developed citywide economic development polices and programs. From 1997-2001, she was Vice President for Economic Development at the Alliance for Downtown New York, New York City’s largest BID (Business Improvement District), where she created and implemented economic, retail and residential strategies for Lower Manhattan’s revival. She has also worked for the Partnership for New York City, Clinton Housing Development Corporation and the San Francisco Education Fund.

Sharon has a BA from Wesleyan University in English and History, a Masters in City Planning (MCP) degree from MIT and was a Luce Scholar in Seoul, Korea in 1993-1994. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Jonathan Fried, and two daughters.

John B. Rhea is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). He was appointed to lead NYCHA – one of the nation’s largest public benefit corporations – by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg on May 31, 2009. NYCHA is a developer, owner and operator of affordable, multi-family housing and community facilities. As the largest public housing authority in North America, with over 11,000 employees and a three billion dollar annual budget, NYCHA provides rental housing for over 650,000 New Yorkers with low and moderate incomes. The Authority’s conventional public housing program comprises 334 developments with 2,604 residential buildings and 178,407 apartments. NYCHA also administers a citywide Section 8 HUD rental housing program, serving more than 95,000 families, with 32,000 participating private landlords. The Authority provides a host of community, educational and senior programs, as well as training and employment initiatives, to assist residents in improving their quality of life. Under Chairman Rhea’s leadership, NYCHA has received numerous honors, including the Special Award for Excellence in Housing Preservation from the New York State Association for Affordable Housing; Development of Distinction in Financial Innovation from Novogradac Journal of Tax Credits; and Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association.
Chairman Rhea brings over 20 years of private sector experience, as both an advisor and senior executive, to NYCHA. Prior to joining the Bloomberg Administration, he was a senior executive in the Investment Banking Division of Barclays Capital (formerly Lehman Brothers), where he served as Managing Director and Co-Head of the Global Consumer & Retail Group. Rhea was recruited to the firm in 2005 to build an industry-leading platform. In 2006, he was named one of the 75 Most Powerful Blacks on Wall Street by Black Enterprise magazine and in 2007, Global Finance magazine named the firm the Best Investment Bank in the Consumer Sector. Prior to Barclays Capital, Chairman Rhea was Managing Director and Co-Head of Consumer North America at JPMorgan Chase & Co. During his career, Rhea worked on many industry-defining transactions, totaling more than $100 billion, covering corporate divestitures and spin-offs, mergers & acquisitions, and debt and equity financings for global corporations, private equity firms, and government entities. In addition to real estate, his industry expertise covers the food & beverage, restaurant, household products and personal care sectors, having served as strategic and financial advisor to some of the world’s most-recognized companies, including Campbell Soup, Constellation Brands, Darden Restaurants, Domino’s Pizza, General Mills, Gillette, Kraft, Molson Coors, Quaker Oats and Sara Lee, to name a few. Prior to investment banking, Rhea worked for The Boston Consulting Group and PepsiCo, Inc.

Chairman Rhea was named one of the 100 Most Powerful People in New York Real Estate by the New York Observer in 2012 and 2013, and honored by the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation with the Jacob Javits Award for Excellence in 2012. Chairman Rhea has appeared extensively on radio and TV and in the press regarding housing and financial matters. Rhea believes in giving back to the community and currently serves on the board of the New York Business Development Corporation – the largest originator of small business (SBA) loans in New York State. He is a founding member and former director of the Council for Urban Professionals (CUP), a nonprofit, membership organization representing minority professionals and entrepreneurs. As a board member of Russell Simmons’ Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, and former Chairman of the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, Rhea has been a tireless advocate for early childhood education and arts and cultural programs for New York City youth. Chairman Rhea is a member of the Executive Leadership Council and a David Rockefeller Fellow. He received a B.A. from Wesleyan University and a M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School.

Rhea was born and raised in Detroit, MI and resides in Manhattan with his two children.

Muzzy Rosenblatt '87, Moderator

Muzzy Rosenblatt is the Executive Director of BRC (the Bowery Residents’ Committee), a comprehensive housing and services agency providing a robust continuum of care for New York City’s homeless and at-risk adults. Described by The New York Times as “one of New York City’s most respected charity groups,” BRC is consistently rated a “top charity” by the American Institute of Philanthropy.

Since arriving at BRC in 2000, Muzzy has led the agency through a period of growth that has strengthened its financial condition, improved the quality of services provided, and established BRC as a leader and innovator among not-for-profit social services agencies. With a budget of $60 million and 600+ employees, BRC’s 27 programs serve over 12,000 individuals annually, providing temporary shelter, permanent housing, and a comprehensive array of drug treatment, health, mental health, and employment programs. Committed to being both effective and efficient, 60% of those who leave BRC do so having successfully achieved their goals, while more than 90 cents of every dollar BRC spends is for program activities.

Prior to BRC, Muzzy held several positions in NYC government under Mayors Koch, Dinkins and Giuliani, including First Deputy Commissioner and Acting Commissioner of the NYC Department of Homeless Services . He earned his MPA at NYU Wagner and his BA at Wesleyan University. Muzzy also serves as a volunteer board member of nonprofit and civic organizations. A native New Yorker, he resides in the county of Queens.